The Ministry of Immigrant Absorption works in conjunction with the Ministry of Construction and Housing and the Ministry of Finance to provide assistance with housing to eligible immigrants.

Areas of Assistance

 Rental assistance

 Mortgages to purchase apartments in the private market

 Public housing: eligibility for public housing is for special population segments only.

Who is entitled to receive housing assistance?

Immigrants, Immigrant Citizens, Returning Minors defined as “Without housing" and who are within their period of eligibility for housing as immigrants.

Who is defined as “Without Housing"?

Singles or families, in which every person in the family fulfills the following requirements:

a. Does not own and did not own an apartment or any part of an apartment in Israel, in the form of ownership, tenancy or rental under the “tenants protection law” (key money), either individually or with another party, as of 1/6/71.

b. Does not, and did not, have any rights in an agricultural farm or communal settlement.

c. Did not receive governmental assistance, such as evacuation fees, loans or purchasing grants, for building, renovating or renting a home.

d. Is not in possession of a public-housing apartment with special social-welfare rental rates through a public housing company as of December 15, 1982

Period of Eligibility

The period of eligibility for housing assistance for immigrants is 10 years, unless otherwise stipulated.

Certificate of Eligibility
 
Eligibility for housing assistance is dependent on the presentation of a valid certificate of eligibility, issued by the Ministry of Housing.

All family members requesting housing rights together are registered on the certificate. The certificate of eligibility is valid for up to eighteen months.

 In order to receive the certificate of eligibility one must contact one of the mortgage banks or one of the rental assistance companies  and present the following documents:

 Immigrant’s Card (te’udat oleh.
 Identity Card (te’udat zehut).
 Marriage certificate (for families)
 Confirmation of IDF service.

The certificate of eligibility is issued for a defined period of time and is generally valid for only one year.